Chapter 25
Twenty-Five
Caleb
My sister is a miracle worker.
With a week to pull everything together, she’s managed to make her back yard everything Emma ever wanted.
At least, that’s what Emma says.
And I have no doubt she means it from the way her eyes lit up at the floral arch set up in Chloe’s garden.
I never thought this day would come—not just being with Emma, but that I’d be married. It never really held interest for me, but with Emma, I’ve never wanted anything so much.
She’s still hesitant, and I don’t blame her. One minute I’d backed off, and the next we’re getting married. But I’m in this for life, and I’m not going anywhere once the immediate threat from the church is dealt with.
I’m not sure what their end game is, but I’m sure a big part of it is control. He’s angry that Emma’s late husband walked away, and that he had assets he never told them about. They want the money and control of Emma and her children.
That will never happen.
I’ll fight for all of them.
“Nervous?” Hunter asks. While Sean’s my best man, Hunter’s also here for me.
“I feel like I’ve been waiting my whole life for today.”
He studies me for a moment. “I know that feeling.”
I smile. Hunter was in love with Chloe when they were teenagers—she just didn’t know. It’s bittersweet to see them together sometimes. She was so in love with Scott, but their happy ever after just wasn’t to be.
But I know that she’s safe and loved by Hunter. She couldn’t find a better man to give her heart to.
“I hope we’re as happy as you and Chloe.”
His face lights up. “I hope so too. Emma deserves that after everything she’s been through. And you look lighter somehow.”
Sean nudges my arm, breaking me out of my thoughts, and I look toward the house.
I catch my breath.
Emma’s never looked so beautiful.
She’s been so burdened with dealing with the house, and settling in, and her father’s threats. Today, she’s carefree, her blonde hair down in curls.
My heart skips a beat.
Our son walks by his mother’s side, her arm in his. Tall, and proud, and unmistakably my boy. In such a short time, my life has become so full.
It’s not just him.
Bailey, Kiera, and Jason walk behind them. The girls have beaming smiles. Jason’s eyes flick around—he’s the one we need to work on the most—but they’re all there in support of their mother.
I love them all.
My family walk toward me, and I couldn’t love them any more than I do.
The past weeks have brought us together.
Nothing will ever break us apart.
She beams a beautiful smile when she reaches me.
“You look incredible,” I murmur.
Her cheeks pink up.
“Thank you,” she whispers.
“Ready to get this show on the road?”
With a nod, I take her hand in mine and give it squeeze.
I can’t stop looking at her.
The ceremony starts and all I can think about is the after. What will it be like to be Emma’s husband?
Husband.
A name I never thought would be applied to me.
“Caleb, do you take Emma to be your wife?”
I smile. “I do.”
“Emma, do you take Caleb to be your husband?”
She draws in a breath, and I hold mine. Please say yes.
Her smile’s so soft. “I do.”
When I slide the ring on her finger, satisfaction blooms in my chest.
After all this time, I belong to Emma, and she belongs to me.
She’ll never have to look over her shoulder and wonder when the next torrent of abuse is coming.
She’ll never be forced to do anything she doesn’t want to.
I want her to enjoy her life with me and be my partner.
And I desperately want her children to be mine.
I dip her when it comes time to kiss, and she laughs against my lips as we seal the deal.
“We did it,” she whispers.
“We did. Are you happy?”
Emma nods. “I never thought I’d have this. Not after …”
“I’ll be the man you need, Em. I promise you that.”
She slips her hand in mine. “You keep your promises.”
“I’m glad you already realise that. I won’t let you or our family down.”
“Our family. I like that.”
“The celebration will continue over by the house where there’s plenty of food and drinks for everyone,” Chloe announces.
I place a kiss in Emma’s hair. “Come on. Let’s go and have a glass of champagne.”
She smiles. “I like the sound of that.”
Noah’s got the others tonight. Emma and I wanted a night alone, so we’re booked into a nearby hotel, and when they’re ready, Noah will take the girls and Jason home with him.
I can’t wait to get my wife alone.
Chloe and Hunter booked the hotel for us as a wedding present, and it’s incredible.
They don’t have a bridal suite, but the bottle of champagne on the table in an ice bucket is gratefully received.
“It’s so lovely here,” Emma says.
She opens the sliding door to the balcony, the salty sea breeze filling the room.
“You’re lovely.”
Emma holds out her hand, and I take it. In the short time we’ve been getting to know one another, I’ve never seen the happiness in her eyes the way she has now.
“I love you,” she says. “And I missed you so much, for so many years. I can’t believe we’re here.”
“And you’re my wife.”
I emphasise the last two words and her smile lights up the whole room.
“My husband.” She gives my hand a squeeze.
Reaching for her, I pull her into my arms. “Should we have a drink before bed?”
She shivers.
“Baby, I’m not expecting anything from you tonight. I just want to hold you.”
“A drink would be nice.”
Emma laughs when I pop the cork on the champagne, and I pour two half glasses.
She’s not used to it, and I’m not keen on going overboard.
We have the whole night.
She takes small sips of her drink. We only had half a glass each after the wedding. I needed to drive, and the last thing I want is for Emma to get drunk on her wedding night and completely ruin things for her.
“Today was magical,” she says.
“I’m glad. I wanted it to be special, even if we rushed it.”
“Do you really think we can keep Dad at bay?”
Emma places her drink on the table. I follow suit and grasp her hands in mine.
“I really do. Together, we’ll be unstoppable.”
Her cheeks flush pink and she drops her gaze.
I love that I have this effect on her—that our attraction bloomed despite the years. This isn’t any kind of marriage of convenience, no matter what she might think.
“How about we take this to the bedroom?” I murmur.
She fixes her gaze back on mine, and I wait for panic to flare in her eyes.
It doesn’t come.
“I like that idea.”
I let go of one of her hands, and together we make our way into the bedroom. Her eyes widen.
“That bed is huge.” She laughs.
“There’s plenty of room for us, then.”
I wrap an arm around her waist and kiss her. She melts in my arms, surrendering to me as I deepen the kiss.
If I have my way, we’ll spend the rest of our lives doing this.
“Will you help me out of this dress?” she whispers. “The zip is in the back.”
She turns away, lifting her hair up and out of the way. I run a finger along the neckline of her dress before I take hold of the zip and slowly bring it down her spine.
Leaning forward, I press a kiss to her bare shoulder.
She turns to face me before pulling her arms out of the sleeves and pushing the bodice down. The delicate blue fabric pools at her feet, and she’s left in a lacy bra and panties the same pale blue shade of the dress.
I reach for the top button of my shirt, but she beats me to it, slowly pulling apart each button. I’ve long since ditched the jacket and the tie, and she makes short work of the shirt, peeling it from my shoulders and pushing it to the floor.
She places her palms on my pecs.
That’s all it’s taken for me to be hard for her. I want Emma so badly, but no matter what, I’ll respect her boundaries and be the man she needs me to be.
Emma slides her hands down to my belt, her lithe fingers undoing the buckle before she unbuttons and slides the zip down.
I don’t drop my gaze.
She’s never been more beautiful than when she takes charge.
Toeing off my shoes, I let her drop my pants and boxers down to my ankles before kicking them off.
She rises, satisfaction written all over her face, her gaze focused on my erect cock.
“Caleb, I …”
I fist it. “We don’t have to do anything with this. I can take care of it.”
“Caleb?” she whispers.
“Yes?”
“Can we … I’m not sure how ready I am, but I want to try. It’s our wedding night.”
I search her eyes. “Are you sure?”
“I don’t want him to ruin this for me.”
Nodding, I cup her cheek with my free hand. “I get that. But it was only a couple of weeks ago that you weren’t ready at all.”
“I’ve been thinking about that a lot, and I talked it over with my counsellor. I can’t make any promises how it will go, but I really want to try. I loved you touching me.”
“I love you touching me.”
Bending, I scoop her into my arms and carry her to the bed.
I place her down gently before rounding the bed and pulling down the blanket. By the time I’m in bed beside her, she’s on the sheet, her arms open to me.
“You’re still overdressed,” I murmur.
I pull her into my arms and kiss her, unhooking her bra behind her and pulling it down her arms. “Is this okay?”
She nods, and I fling it onto the floor.
I love her breasts. When we were younger, they were smaller, but time and babies have made them full and sensitive. I run my thumbs over her nipples and she shudders.
Sucking one hard bud into my mouth, I pluck at her panties. She wriggles out of them, and I slip my hand between her legs.
“Need to taste your pussy, baby,” I say.
Her breath hitches. “I want you to.”
I raise my head. “You sure?”
“More than anything.”
I didn’t do this last time and regretted it more than anything. Now, I get to taste my wife for the first time.
She spreads her legs before me, and I move between them, kneeling before my woman to worship her.
“I love you,” I say. “I never stopped.”
And then I lie in front of her and feast.
I eat like a starving man, needing to taste her, needing to feel her writhing from my attention.
“Caleb,” she whispers.
I raise my head. “Too much?”
“No, it’s perfect.”
Chuckling to myself, I bury my face in her pussy. She squirms when I lap at her clit.
She arches her back and I follow, sucking gently on her clit as she rises and falls. Her fingers squeeze mine as she comes, crying my name.
I’m hard as a rock, grinding against the sheet.
All I can smell is her.
I’m so gone.
I raise my head. “I need to be inside you. Are you okay with that?”
She nods, her eyes full of love. “I love that you keep checking in with me.”
“I’ll always do that. I want to make sure you’re okay.”
Emma grasps my arm. “You don’t need a condom. I … I had an IUD put in.”
“You did?”
“I wanted to be with you with nothing between us. I just want you.”
“Are you sure?”
She smiles. “I’m sure. Please? I want to try.”
Lining myself up, I dip the tip of my cock inside her before checking her expression. It’s so full of hope and I know I’m okay to try a little more.
I slide into her slowly, never dropping my gaze. She blinks and nods, giving me the go ahead to push deeper.
“I … that’s good.” She smiles, but it’s still a little strained.
“Are you sure?”
“I’ve never been surer of anything in my life.” The smile widens. “I feel so close to you right now.”
“Then I’m doing a good job.”
She laughs, sending shivers down my spine as she tightens around me.
“You are incredible. I hope you know that.”
Emma strokes my cheek. “Right back at you.”
She raises her head to kiss me softly on the lips.
“I’m going to start moving or things could get messy.”
She laughs again. “Aren’t they going to get messy anyway?”
I chuckle. “Is that right, Mrs Baxter?”
“Mrs Baxter,” she says in a dreamy tone.
I start slow and then pick up speed. Emma’s gasps spur me on, and I slip my thumb between us to stroke her clit.
“Come with me,” I murmur.
It doesn’t take long—I’m sure she’s never had anything like this before. Her body tenses, and her pussy grips me tighter as her orgasm rips through her and I follow suit.
“Emma,” I cry out.
I come to a stop and catch my breath. Emma’s blonde hair fans out on the pillow, and her eyes are filled with so much love.
This is my life now.
And I’ll spend it making sure she looks at me like that every day.
I roll off her and pull her into my arms.
“That was …” She kisses me gently. “Amazing.”
“I hope so. I want it to be like that with us every time.”
She lets out a contented sigh.
“I’m going to the bathroom. I think I’ll sleep well after that.”
I nuzzle her neck. “That’s if I let you sleep.”
Emma laughs, and it’s the sweetest sound.
When she returns, she snuggles back into bed with me, my arms around her.
“Thank you.”
I close my eyes. “For what?”
“Everything. For being here. For being you. For tonight.”
Fixing my gaze on her, I smile. “Like you said. It’s our wedding night. Anything to make you happy.”
“I’ve never had a night like this before. It’s been wonderful.” Her eyes are hazy—I’m sure she’s tired because it’s been such a long day.
“Sleep, sweetheart. If you’re a good girl, I’ll let you suck my cock in the morning.”
Emma laughs and slaps my chest. “Caleb.”
“Made you laugh.”